I went back to Whitehall, where I found Frances, and told her to be at
Lilly's house on the Strand within three hours, to meet the French king's
ambassador, and to receive the instructions which George's letter had
intimated the Abbe would give. I told her, also, that the Abbe was not
the person we had expected to see.
The evening before, she was ready to die of fright because we believed
that the Abbe was George Hamilton, and now, since I had found he was not,
she was ready to die of disappointment--so she assured me.
At the appointed time, De Grammont, the Abbe, and I took the count's
barge and went down to the water stairs nearest Temple Bar, where the
Abbe and I left De Grammont and walked up through the crowded streets to
Lilly's house. Owing to the crowded condition of the street, the Abbe and
I found no opportunity to exchange words until we were before Lilly's
house.
Lilly was at home, I having sent word of our coming, so when we knocked,
the servant opened and directed us to the waiting parlor, saying that the
Doctor would soon come down.
We started upstairs, I in the lead, the Abbe following ten paces behind.
When I entered the room, I found Bettina and Frances sitting by the
street window. They came to me quickly, and Frances explained Bettina's
presence.
"I did not like to come here alone, so I asked Betty to come with me. She
is to be trusted."
"You need not assure me of that," I answered, taking Betty's hand.
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